Tuesday, January 29, 2013

Why I Rise - Part 31

Melodia Gutierrez

I rise for the social and political inequality that riddles our communities.  I rise for those that experience oppression, psychological abuse and violence.  I rise to support mutual acceptance.  I rise to end personal and corporate greed. I rise to change these numbers:  women making 77% of their male counterpart's income, 11 million undocumented citizens, 146.4 million Americans below the poverty line, 1 billion humans in poverty (which is set to double in a decade) across the globe, 100,649 children suffering from abuse, 1 in 3 women that will experience rape or beatings, 43% of Utah's Latinos will not graduate High School, 48% of Utah's African Americans will not graduate high school.  I rise to eliminate racism.  I rise to advocate for education.  

I rise to fight, through love, to end the injustices around us and to empower and be empowered by community.

Tuesday, January 22, 2013

Why I Rise - Part 30




In 1988, a 7-year-old boy was riding his bike near his Tacoma, Washington home when Earl Shriner, having just been released from prison having just served a sentence for killing a girl, lured the boy into a wooded lot and raped, stabbed, strangled and sexually mutilated the little boy.  The boy survived.  I worked closely with that boy's mother and a handful of victims of violent, sexual crime, (myself included,) to change the laws governing violent, sexual offenders in the State of Washington in 1989.  The omnibus bill that we orchestrated and passed became the model for the rest of the country, instituting community notification, the ability to continue to incarcerate dangerous offenders after serving their time and much longer sentences for sex crimes.

I was angry.  I was beginning to spiral, having memories of my own abuse surfacing.  I even attempted to end my life.  Creating a safe community is necessary and it isn't the answer to alter the course of society.  Why I rise is because anger is not my answer.  Anger may be cathartic, but it's more of the same, dressed in a different shade.  Anger propagates anger.  I rise up to reach out and cause love, cause peace, cause education.  I rise up to cause "We are our brother's keeper."  I rise up to cause a planet where anger, rape, sexism no longer exists.  I rise up to cause a new human race.








Monday, January 21, 2013

Why I Rise - Part 29

Christine rises up with her community. She is such a great individual to have in our Salt Lake City Community! She is a beautiful soul, artist, mother, creator, friend, teacher, mentor and creative mind, among many others!
We thank her for her time as she adds her talents to our cause and creates something to be remembered!

She tells us "Why she rises..."

"In my lifetime I have felt the effects of violence towards women and girls closely, personally though the eyes of loved ones, through the eyes of an image looking back in the mirror. It has caused me many things and it has cost me many things. I have been in the car, driving in the early morning, listening to the horrors globally, stories of women raped and tortured, so recently, and I have shed tears. It is the same tears I have shed for myself, for my loved ones, for my neighbor down the street who does not know she has an ally living two houses away. It is the same tears I shed for you, and even though we have not met, we are connected in this. It will be the same tears I will shed tomorrow, when I open the paper and read the headline from a small town in another part of the world. It will happen again, over and over, again. But I will rise up. I will dance with you because I can; because when there is a community that bonds together and when, from that, there is a movement that is created, and then, liberation, there is, and always will be, hope."

Why I Rise - Part 28

Lee Madrid rises, he makes a strong statement as he shares " Why he rises....."

"I am rising to combat the patriarchal society that has crept into our minds. I am rising for the young women I grew up with having daughters and sons of their own. I am rising for Salt Lake City, a desperate city filled with willful ignorance. I am rising for my mother, my younger sister, and for the future mother of my children. I am rising because fracking and oil drilling continues to rape our Mother Earth. I am rising because the rise of the Divine Feminine is inevitable and I am grateful to contribute. I am rising because I have a voice. "

Why I Rise - Part 27


Missy Ward-Lambert rises with One Billion Rising.
She is very active individual in Salt Lake and also the main organizer at Utah for Congo; which raises awareness about armed conflict in DR Congo and global rape culture.

She shares her empowering and beautiful WOMANIFESTO.

http://femimissy.blogspot.com/2012/04/womanifesto.html

Womanifesto


*This is the Womanifesto I wrote (and posted around town) for my friend Ash's Experimental Feminism class last year.  I am not as angry today, but I remember that anger vividly.


1: Letters

They say: You are angry.
Write a letter; send it; feel your anger evaporate.

So here it is, laid bare: My anger.

I am angry that every 5 minutes, 4 Congolese women are raped.  They are raped with sticks, their vaginas shot through with guns.  War goes on after peace treaties are signed.

I am angry that 100 million baby girls are missing—killed or aborted or abandoned when their parents, locked into patriarchal cultures, found out they were female.

I am angry that this week an 11-year-old girl was gang-raped by 18 men in Texas, making her one of the 1 in 4 American women who will be victims of rape or sexual assault.

I am telling you that the anger is in me, an exposed nerve, a deep deep wound.

I am angry about domestic violence, honor killings, maternal mortality, genital mutilation, human trafficking, sex slavery, femicide, bride burning, child abuse, neglect, forced pregnancy, forced sterilization, sex-selective abortion and infanticide, the income gap, the education gap, and all the permutations of sexual violence that disdain and sadism have designed.

I am angry that behind these words—these technical terms—there are faces and hands and bellies and breasts and wombs and vaginas and empty, empty, empty arms.

I am angry that there is only one explanation for these things, and it is: woman-hate. 
Hate of all things smaller, softer, riper, Other.

And in this woman-hating world dwells my daughter, who is one of the luckiest ones, who by force of geography and social class will probably not have acid tossed in her face or be tortured and dismembered in the desert.

But still this woman-hating world will do its work on her.
It will try to shrink her, silence her, nip her, tuck her, beat her, bash her, terrify her, exploit her, objectify her, starve her, hate her.
It will try to make her hate herself.
It will try to whittle her down
until she is trim as a bone
and hollow as a reed.
And even then.
Even then.

*

I write letter after letter,
never knowing to whom
I should send them.


2: Womanifesto

I am not my culture.
I am filled clear up with it, of course,
and when I move I feel it sloshing inside me,
licking at my ribs
and spilling over my brims.

What I learned about being a woman
might be different than what you learned about being a woman,
but I am sure we had a few lessons in common:
Be so small you are barely visible; shrink, shrink, shrink.
Sacrifice, sacrifice.  Self-efface, then some more.
Whatever you do, don’t stop sacrificing.  Give that up.  Give it up.  Give up.

But the roots of these lessons are weakening in me, and
there are a some things I will not place on that sacrificial altar:
My voice, my volume, my words.

I can say I’m angry when I am.
I can choose where I go, what I do.
I am not bound to your ideas of what womanhood means.
I am the only mother to my children.
I know what love means to me.

Since my mind has been colonized
(the last great frontier),
I can shake off any oppressors I find there.

I can be an abolitionist,
freeing—first—my own heart and mind.

In a world where women wish they were darker, lighter, thinner, fatter, shorter, taller, bigger, smaller: I will not buy products from companies that perpetuate and profit off of my self-hate.

In a world where so many women’s bodies are mutilated: I will not allow cosmetic knives to slice my skin.

In a world where women are viewed as objects for consumption: I will assert my personhood, honoring the fact that each day I can return to my true self—more generous, more honest, more authentic.

In a world where women’s voices are taken from them: I will not sit down.  I will not shut up.  I will not remain silent about suffering for fear of offending someone’s sensibilities.

*

In a world where I have a voice, I will use it.

Why I Rise - Part 26

Henia Belalia rises with WOMYN of One Billion Rising.
She is a very active individual within her Salt Lake community and completely passionate about making the change that is necessary.
Thank you Henia for sharing your support and putting your time and effort into our community!

"I am STRIKING because as a woman, my voice has been discarded as inconsequential and irrelevant, my body violated and abused, and my mind invaded by social expectations and materialistic burdens. As a woman of color, I have been cast aside and confined to ignorant stereotypes.

I am DANCING because real change comes from the soul. Because it takes creativity and heart power to awaken our collective consciousness and shift our paradigm -- in how we speak, live and treat one another.

I am RISING with my sisters and our allies across the world, because the time has come for WOMYN to come into our own power and to challenge the status quo of a patriarchal, white man's world. I am RISING for womyn and girls across the world who have been beaten, confined, mutilated, tortured and silenced time and time again.

It's time to Strike. To Dance. And to Rise."

Thursday, January 17, 2013

YOGA!



Come practice yoga with us to get your joints limber, your heart tuned in and your grooving muscles all warmed up!

We have several yogis who have worked hard, asked studios to donate space and have are proud to announce THREE special donation-based classes to help with operation costs of putting on our One Billion Rising SLC events. 

Please put these on your schedule and plan on attending. 

Saturday 1/26/13 4:00pm  Avenues Yoga: 68 K Street 

Saturday 2/2/13 3:00 pm Yoga Central: 2120 Windsor Street (approx 750 East)

Friday 2/3/13 7:30 pm Krishna Temple: 965 East 3370 South


A HUGE THANK YOU TO ALL THE STUDIOS AND YOGI'S WHO HAVE DONATED THEIR SKILLS AND THEIR SPACES!

Wednesday, January 16, 2013

Why I Rise - Part 25



Jeff Ringle rises up with women in Salt Lake in such a beautiful and amazing way!

He shares with us, as a musician, "Why he rises...."

"As a musician, I am Rising because I've seen the powerful effects of music on humans. I am a percussionist and have an intimate relationship with rhythmic patterns--that drug that makes us all move. I pledge to never support or make music that demeans women, or empowers men to do anything other than respect women. Musicians must stop this violent sex culture that has made so much money. It is time for LOVE, PEACE, and RESPECT for ALL. The change is here, we all see it. Rise Up."


Why I Rise - Part 24



Neena Plant is rising with us. She powerfully shares "Why she is rising..."

"There are so many reasons I can think of to support One Billion Rising. Suffice it to say I have seen and experienced first hand the brutality and violence men perpetrate against women, by emotional, sexual, and economic means. "

Why I Rise - Part 23


An OBR-SLC team members nephew is RISING UP with Salt Lake.
Fynn White is rising because violence is not the answer and real men don't rape!

Monday, January 14, 2013

Why I Rise - Part 22




I have been graced with the opportunity to be a part of One Billion Rising Salt Lake City from the ground up. I have encouraged women and men to share their stories of why they rise. But I've been fearful to write my own story. There are so many reasons why I rise that it makes it difficult to identify just one. I've written and rewritten several posts, accounting the deep dark secrets that lie in my heart, and the cobwebbed mazes of my brain. But I am realizing that the real reason that I am moved to rise - is because I can. I have a group of friends and supporters that are stronger and more supportive than I've ever had in my life. I've always been scared of being "that girl" or labeled a feminist. Guess what? I am one. I am tired of pretending that women are treated equally in hopes of being treated equally myself - it doesn't work. I will stand up and say that it is not ok to tell someone "you learned from that didn't you?" instead of "that was wrong, what he did to you is not acceptable and I stand by you."

We as women are called man-haters if we breed natural distrust and fear from being beaten & raped. But we are also playing the victim if we admit that infidelity, sexual assault and domestic violence has shaped our outlook on the world. This fear of judgment and constant minimization plays its own part in perpetuating the cycles. We don't get the help we need. We sit in the corner crying when the lives we want to live seem out of our reach because we can't control the demons in our own mind. So today, I'm breaking my own fear - and telling you why I will RISE!






I rise because it feels good.
I dance because it lifts my soul.
I strike because inequality exists, whether we choose to acknowledge it or not.





I will rise on February 14, 2013 because I didn't rise up homecoming night 2000 when I was assaulted by a friend's brother whom I had also trusted with my first kiss. When my PTSD from my early childhood became so strong that I didn't fight back. For years, I accepted this complacency and fear as guilt and my own personal culpability.

I will rise on February 14, 2013 because I never had the chance to kick the ass of the boyfriend I trusted to be my "first" who cheated on me and left before I spent 4 years, 2 surgeries and 5 biopsies to clear myself of the cancer he left as reciprocation for my trust and fidelity.

I will rise on February 14, 2013 because I didn't rise up when my 350 lb husband had difficulties with his mental illness, picked me up and threw me into a chair while I kicked and clawed and tried to escape. Only one of the many times I feared for my life in my own house. I will rise because I lived in the shadows for too long, believing my mother in law that this was my fault and I was culpable for every mistake he made, dollar he spent and his own life that he took.

I will rise on February 14, 2013 because my education is as good as those possessed by men. I studied as hard, read the same books, held a full time job and cared for my family to afford to pay as much as the men who graduated with me. I dare say I might have learned more from it, because I also had to learn how to work in groups that didn't want to "be 'the team with a girl'" when "I don't even LET my wife have a credit card, I just bought her a new minivan - she should be thanking me" was what I heard on the first day of my program.

I will dance on February 14, 2013 because on August 6, 2010 I learned what it meant to be in a community of women for the first time. As a widow at 25 I learned to trust, confide in and depend on other women to heal me, help me and share in my joy and sorrow. I learned friendship and the power of women. I have never met a more powerful and passionate group of women than those who have endured the loss of a spouse and still wake up to greet the new morning.

I will RISE STRIKE and DANCE because I am a vibrant, beautiful and strong woman who isn't about ready to take any more crap and smile and say thank you. I learned that for myself - and I want to share it with women everywhere. WE DESERVE MORE. I want to change the world so my little sister, and eventually my daughters don't have to worry about what NOT to wear so as to stay safe when they go out with friends or walk home from school. Instead I will teach my brother and my sons to treat people fairly and be cognizant of the words they use, and always stand up for what they believe. And when I remarry it will be to a partner who values my safety, who respects my voice, hears my soul and loves who I am.


If you would like to be involved with One Billion Rising please go to onebillionrising.org. If you are in the Salt Lake area please connect with us at www.obrslc.blogspot.com and www.facebook.com/obrslc. We will be DANCING on the University of Utah Campus (Feb 14th noon), we will STRIKE the Ikea Draper store with a flash mob (Feb 14th 7pm) and we will RISE with a reception to fund-raise for a great cause and connect women and those who love and support them on February 15th. Please look up the information and support us. Support me. It would mean a lot. You might be surprised how it might empower you.

With love and light,
Jess


Why I Rise - Part 21

I am rising because when one billion women rise and dance, healing around and within the world begins.  This healing is long overdue.  This dance comes at the right time.  I am rising because when a member of my community says that something is hurting them and needs a collective voice to be heard to stop it, I can only live with integrity by saying, “I’ll be there”.  Two years ago I made a commitment to a mentor named bell hooks to decolonize my mind from white supremacy, patriarchy and capitalist thinking.  The only way I know how is to be accountable to oppressed communities and not stand idly by as a witness.  Slow violence that is emotionally abusive and fast violence that is aggressive are both equally destructive.  Our community will be stronger by rising and dancing together and a whole and healing world will rise with us.

I am a 35 year old, climber, skier and retired high school science teacher.  I have re-emerged as a carpenter, bus driver and community organizer.  My heart and soul are rooted in the inter-mountain west bio-region but like most people living in the United States my relatives are immigrants. I grew up in Denver, Colorado with parents from New York and Wisconsin. Their relatives immigrated to the U.S. from Holland, Ireland and France. I work to address climate change from a social justice perspective and I listen to youth wisdom sometimes before listening to adults.  Organizing with various climate justice campaigns I am excited about inter-generational mentoring and learning that seems to develop strong relationships in the Salt Lake community.  I believe that power is not a thing, it is a relationship.  

ryan pleune

Why I Rise - Part 20



Miriam Kramer a local to Salt Lake speaks up.
Miriam is currently in South East Asia, but she writes over her "spotty internet connection and weird keyboard" with enthusiasm and great hope of "why she is rising..." 

"I join you in rising because women and men are equal. And when there is equality, there is economic growth, there is prosperity, there is peace. "

Why I Rise - Part 19


It takes strength to find the voice to speak loud, share, and fight.
From overseas in Australia we have stories being shared with us, this a global fight. As we rise locally, we rise globally.!!!!

"My own reason for rising is because I am a survivor – I was gang raped and sexually assaulted nearly 40 years ago by 5 men I thought were friends. At 18 I was too scared and too ashamed to tell anyone, so I buried my memories and never dealt with them – and now I suffer the psychological consequences. I have never gotten over it – probably never will – but OBR and what it stands for is, for me, a hand of help and friendship that I never had 40 years ago. "

Why I Rise - Part 18

Carly Clifton rises from Salt Lake. She shares her insight as she shares her support, and her great heart and beautiful mind shine through.

"Embrace Change, its hard because to the fearful its scary, it may or may not work, to the hopeful, Change can make it better, but most importantly to the confident, change is inspiring because the challenge exists to make us work at what we are truly inspired and passionate about. It is not an easy path to travel but "where the spirit leads the feet will follow, down distant paths for unmapped miles, heads forget but hearts remember, the art of living knows no bounds." Embrace change, enjoy life, and remember to always play hard! Cheers"

Saturday, January 12, 2013

Why I Rise - Part 17

 

As a survivor of various crimes, I will rise to advocate against all types of violence and abuses. I rise for all victims of domestic and dating violence, kidnapping, human trafficking, workplace violence, rape/sexual assault, murder,and many more. I rise for HB50, the Dating Violence Protective Order Bill that will go before the Utah Legislature to protect victims of dating violence.
- Brandy Farmer

You can find more information about HB50 here: http://utahpoliticalcapitol.com/2013/01/04/flagged-bill-hb-50-dating-violence-protection-act-rep-jen-seelig/
You can contact your local representative to pledge your support for this bill if you feel as strongly as we do.

Tuesday, January 8, 2013

Why I Rise - Part 16




Lea from France supports us and shares with us about herself and their progress in France.

Bonjour,
Je ne parle pas vraiment bien l'anglais, et surtout ne l'écris pas du tout. Je me permets donc de vous répondre en français. Je peux répondre favorablement à votre demande, sachant qu'ici en France, je suis en charge coordonner les actions pour faire connaitre cette grande journée que sera le 14 février prochain. J'ai d'autres activités plus politiques en France, puisque je suis élue au conseil municipal de ma ville. J'ai toujours été une activiste pour les droits des femmes, notamment dans le milieu politique qui est très dur pour nous. C'est pourquoi j'ai souhaité m'engager dans cette grande aventure autour de Eve Ensler et de son combat.
Notre mobilisation en France grandit chaque jours, et nous en sommes ravies. Je reste à votre disposition si vous voulez plus de choses de ma part.
Amitiés féministes.
Léa

Hello,
I do not speak English very well, and especially do not write at all. I would therefore answer you in French. I can accommodate your request, knowing that here in France, I am responsible for coordinating actions to know this great day that will be on February 14th. I have other more political in France, because I am elected to council in my town. I've always been an activist for women's rights, particularly in the political environment that is very hard for us. That's why I wanted to get involved in this great adventure around Eve Ensler and her fight.
Our mobilization in France is growing every day, and we are delighted. I remain at your disposal if you want more things from me.
Feminist friendships.
Lea

Why I Rise - Part 15


Christina Klee Kilbane shares her wonderful thoughts with One Billion Rising-SLC.
She shares "Why she is rising...."

"I am rising to show all women who have ever been abused in anyway that they are not alone in this world. I feel it is necessary to my existence to support the women that have lost so much in these atrocious acts of violence. In doing so, it is my hope to bring strength, harmony and love back to the women who feel so lost, but also to stand up with the rest of the community and use the power of the masses to stop these barbaric acts from happening in the future."

Why I Rise - Part 14


Jai Santos rises up with One Billion Rising-SLC
He shares "Why he is rising..."

"I am a capoerista and a pro cage fighter. Within this people think that cage fighting is really violent. Not for us, because within cage fighting we have a time limit, we have rules, we have classes so we fight man to man in a fair fight. We have a referee who protects us from any illegal move or threat. We are lucky for that.

But what about domestic violence or sexual violence against women? Is there rules? Is there a referee? Is there a time limit? Are they fighting a fair fight?

I am rising against domestic violence and any other kind of abuse in this world, people who abuse are cowards! I am rising because because REAL MEN DON"T RAPE, real men fight as allies with women and girls against the violence if he has to, he dies for them if he has to, and he treats them like queens in all aspects especially as the makers of home life and family."

Sunday, January 6, 2013

Why I Rise - Part 13



I am willing to rise up for the one billion cause being sexually abused my self when I was only 9yrs old by a guy I called my friend who was 16yrs old at a private school for all ages. I just froze and then he pulled a knife out and told me if I ever told anyone he would come and find me and hurt me. I don't remember how long before I finally told my mom but its all because of a friend that told. I needed to tell someone cause it was her cousin Daniel and he did it to her too but know one was willing to help her.

Well I finally told my mom what had happened and she got right on it. I went to counseling for a while didn't help till they but me in group counseling and heard some of the worst things from other girls, I thought to my self I didn't get it that bad and was thankful. Daniel, my sex offender, ended up just getting a slap on the hand, did some time in counseling and was thought he was cured or so they thought I don't remember how long it was when I ended running into him without him knowing who I was at a baseball game he was working at, nothing happened until a few months later my mom got the phone call that Daniel had done it again but this time he went further than he did with me and raped a girl in the janitor closet at the the baseball game.

NO MAN SHOULD EVER HAVE THAT RIGHT TO GET AWAY WITH THAT!!! I have gone the rounds of emotions with what I went through and many more incidents that challenged my life, but if wasn't for Capoeira I would never been able to get my self respect and confidence. So THANK YOU CAPOEIRA!!!

Jamie Barker
Salt Lake City, Utah

Why I Rise - Part 12


16 December 2012.  9:30pm.  New Delhi, India.
A 23-year-old female physioteraphy student and a male companion were kidnapped, beaten and robbed in New Delhi.  She was raped by six men in a moving bus, who also used a rusted iron rod to penetrate her, then they were both thrown to the side of the road naked.  They were found around 11pm.  During the following days, she was in and out of coma, and in severe shock whenever she opened her eyes.  Thirteen days later, she died of multiple organ failure. He survived.
I was in India when this happened.  The country is angry, and the population is asking for the abusers, of which one is a minor, to be hung. A few days after the rape, there were student protests in New Delhi demanding changes in the law and security to women in India.  My desire to go was strong, but not as strong as the fear to be out at night in New Delhi, an unfamiliar place, known for its crimes towards women.  My partner, also female, and I felt a deeper interpretation of fear these days we were there.  We felt insecure, angry and hopeless.  And we are strong, daring and adventurous women. At that moment, that didn't matter. I even had the thought of how my fear would change if I had my best friend, a male, traveling with us.  It would.  Not much, as we learned from the case above, but it would.  One of the days we went to visit a garden with beautiful plant sculptures of Buddah.  I had been looking forward to it since before leaving home.  We got lost and arrived there a little before sunset.  When we entered, we had about 50 eyes on us.  All men.  We hesitated for a second, then we ran and got into a rickshaw who charged us about ten times what the ride was worth.  What money is worth the risk of being touched, abused, or violated by a stranger? None. Were we overreacting? Maybe, but no reasonable thought would make me walk into that gated garden. On our way back home in the metro, I felt something I never felt before, and I believe it is something close to a panic attack.  There were about sixty men, and three women in our cart.  Nothing happened, only constant staring for about 30 minutes.  Still, the consistent thought of what had happened to that girl a few nights before, who was still struggling for her life at that time, and that the small knife I had in my pocket couldn't do anything if two, or fifty men decided to hurt us.  That was when I realized how unreasonably unfair and violent this world can be.  That moment I decided to rise.
I disagree with execution of the offenders.  I agree with education.  We, women and men, from any and all backgrounds, languages and cultures, must rise to educate, to inform, and to serve as examples of change.  Change happens when we fight for it.  People rising and speaking up has been the only means by which society changed, has been changing and will change.  In April 2011, Toronto's chief police officer, when approached regarding increasing numbers of rape in universities, requested women to dress less like sluts in order to not be victimized. The Slut Walk, everywhere in the world, started, and it has taught me valuable lessons, as I hope it has others.
It saddens me to see friends about my age undergo the pressure of a sexist society, where the women believe they are less powerful, less intelligent, less human, weaker and shallow individuals and that male dominance, including any form of abuse is acceptable. It frustrates me to think that my 4-year-old niece and 8 year-old brother will grow up in such a world.  It brings tears to my eyes to even think of possibility of them being victims of behaviors from such society that has yet to understand fairness, human rights, equality, and justice.  
It is my duty to fight for change. 
That is why I rise.

Submitted by the amazing Carla Locatelli of both Salt Lake City, Utah and São Paulo Brazil

Why I Rise - Part 11



Beautiful and empowering Elizabeth Hensler shares
"Why she is rising...."


"It’s easy to read about One Billion Rising, agree that stopping rape is important, hit “like” and move on along our Facebook news wall. However, I wonder how many of us look at ourselves -- really, really examine our own behavior -- and notice seemingly small ways that we are contributing to a culture of violence toward women and girls? Think about it. How many times do we say or hear or do or believe something along any of these lines:

Rape or assault victims should just get over it. Stop being fearful or angry. Stop acting like victims.

Sexual assault is just part of life. We all get our asses grabbed in public. That’s normal.

Women are ‘asking for it’ when they go out at night. Young women ask for it by the way they dress/dance/drink. Older women (“cougars”...ugh!) are surely looking for it because why else would a woman over 40 go out at all?

Boys will be boys. They’re not REALLY objectifying women. That’s just how men are.

Women should be [stereotypically] sexy to be the complete package. Achievement, intelligence, talent, kindness, fitness, happiness are not enough.

I want to see more self-awareness in the perspectives of average people -- healthy, loving, wonderful men and women -- who believe and say things that dehumanize women and contribute to a culture that accepts violence toward us without even realizing it. We all do it from time to time. Now it’s time to notice it. And stop it"

Why I Rise - Part 10

Amanda Glenn Romualdo assertively stands up and voices her stand with us!
Amanda lives in the Salt Lake area and involves herself in her community as she shows below. She radiates with strength, intelligence and grace wherever she goes.

She tells how it is! "Why she is rising..."

" It’s simple: violence against women is inhuman. And it should never happen.

But it does. It doesn’t discriminate and happens to women of all walks of life—from those living in vanilla suburbia to women struggling in war-torn zones. I rise for my friends who have been victim to rape. I rise for my mother-in-law who was physically abused by her step-mom. I rise for my Sudanese ESL student who sadly told me, “I’m so lucky. I only got raped.” I rise for the fact that even our country’s leaders don’t get it and spew absurd crap like, “If it’s a legitimate rape, the female body has ways to shut the whole thing down.” This needs to stop."

Why I Rise - Part 9


Alicia rises with us from Florida! She made a big presence in Salt Lake but things took to her eastward, where she smiles in the sun!
Alicia is a talented individual, she loves being involved, singing, and playing Capoeira.

She tell us "Why she is rising..."


"I am rising because when I didn't have strength to rise, many did it for me. No one should turn your rainbow of colors into shades of gray."

Why I Rise - Part 8



Kathy Burrows of Salt Lake took the time to send in her thoughts.
Kathy is a dedicated woman and works for the Moran Eye Center, and also is in the Air National Guard. She is passionate and dedicated in all that she does. She never leaves home without a smile!
Kathy shares "why she is rising..."

She writes:
" I am rising, with hopes that someday my children wont have to!"

Why I Rise - Part 7


We have been reaching out far and near.
Local reporter for KUTV 2News Amanda Jones tell us "Why she is rising..." She speaks up with sincerity and sternness.
Amanda is a beautiful and strong woman. We are so lucky to have her in Salt Lake and have her support!!

She shares;
"I am rising for women to stand tall, free of judgement and being downcast. They tell us women have come so far, but when less-than-equal pay, abuse and rape are still everyday issues, how far have we really come? Men, women: Come together and support WOMEN. We are creatures of love. We will give all of our love to you and nurture this world if only we are respected, and loved. It starts with catching that one thought in your head that plays into stereotypes, or rationalizes a mistreatment. I am rising to inspire people to refrain from a sexist joke; stop a sexist thought; and refuse to play into a sexist situation. It starts with you, and will have glorious effects. Women: We are enough! And with everyone rising, the world will see it, too."

Friday, January 4, 2013

Why I Rise - Part 6


In this life we never know the cards that will be dealt.
After my parents died, I lost myself. Like a fish out of water, flopping back and forth struggling for air.
I lived back and forth, between, and above and below.
While I was still in middle school I was living with another sister of mine, it was a difficult situation. On both parts she was a young woman raising her teenage sister and how would she ever know how to do that?
She had kids of her own, but how do you deal with a 13 year old that had lost both her parents that hated and distrusted everything in life?
Unfortunately I watched myself deteriorate and even more how my sister was very submissive to her husband. My decisions that I made at the time never were smart, but regardless I made them. I was causing havoc at all costs because I felt it was the best ways to have people interact with me in my life.

It slowly yet progressively went down hill.
I never liked my sisters husband and I grew to know why. That day, I remember the weather, and the rose plants, and life.
As I was leaving to go to a friends house, I was talking with my sister as maybe I wasn’t supposed to go, my friend was walking up to me, Behind me I heard footsteps, I remember the anger in his voice and he grabbed me by my arm and lifted me up with all his might and threw me into the house.
I ran so fast crying down the road. Bruises resided and I went on my way living.
The tension only grew stronger between me and him. I was constantly told I was a failure and always reminded of what I did that made me such a horrible person.
The tension only grew stronger as I had to watch him abuse his kids, what do you do when you are 14 years old and you see your niece with a welted hand print on her chest? Or hear him yelling upstairs and the kids screaming? You cant fight back and it’s a hush hush between everyone else.
It proceeded, but the tension got so bad and I was moved.
This unfortunate situation had built me on unstable grounds. Lack of human emotion and thinking life just goes on this way. My confidence going into high school was all but there. I seeked out attention in the wrong ways.
It led to being objectified, taken advantage of, laughed at, dehumanized and petrified.
Any relationship I had seemed to be in the same: 2 years or 3 years of anger, bitter words, locking myself in the bathroom so I could get away, crying, not talking, being called a bitch, a whore,( you can fill in you adjectives),having fists and objects thrown around my head, and then waking up and pretending that I was fine.


What happened to me? I think of how powerful my mother was and how strong she was.
Who am I ? Why am I sitting here letting myself go through this?
I am not quiet anymore, and I will not be silenced anymore!
I am over the submissive me,
I am sick of watching myself being torn down
I will not let the oppressor decided my fate!



I has taken me years of finding who I am and having wonderful mentors helping me build my voice, listening to women’s stories that they so want to share with another woman. It is finding the comfort in voicing your opinion and knowing you and all women and girls have that right.
It isn’t normal to have to feel objectified, outcasted, worthless, beaten, silenced, or afraid.
I am rising for the human right that all women and girls have the right to protect their mind, body, and soul.

~A Woman Rising
Salt Lake City, Utah

*Please submit your own "Why I Rise" story to OBRSLC@gmail.com (Please include an alias if you would not like to be identified, as well as a photo of either yourself - or something you relate to)

Why I Rise - Part 5



More people are rising!!!! People are speaking up! Speak up with them.
Whitney Norton shares "Why she is Rising...."

"For the first time in 18 years, Congress failed to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act. Resources to fund the investigation and prosecution of violent crimes against women, as well as resources for the women's recovery, are going away. The House of Representatives thinks violence against women is not important. I'm rising."

Salt Lake City, UT

Why I Rise - Part 4

Salt Lake is rising up, the voices keep coming in!
Rosabelle Davilla Nzambi originally from the Congo, who now resides in the Salt Lake area voices her opinion. She remarks that she has not been personally affected by violence, but takes this stand with women, and believes in woman's equality.
She expresses:
"I'm rising because women have the same right as men! Women are not to stay in the kitchen. We women need to go to school and get the education as man does..."

Why I Rise - Part 3




We know we are reaching individuals when people our supporting our One Billion Rising-SLC cause from out of state.
Benjamin Jenks creator of Adventure Sauce is supporting women all over the world.
He is an amazing soul, wise, and determined to make change himself as he helps other people pursue their dreams and adventures
He is telling us "Why HE rises...."
Benjamin announces:

"I'm rising because it hurts to watch any human harmed by another... and to see such widespread violence is crushing. May this dance shed light into the darkness."

Find out more about him and his amazing path
at:
adventuresauce.com

Thursday, January 3, 2013

Why I Rise Part 2

One of OBR-SLC Team Member's 16 year old niece is of the first to voice "Why she is rising..."
Kadelyn lives in the Salt Lake Area and is a talented and determined young woman, with many dreams and goals that with her strong will, we all know she will achieve them.
She has spoken up and with her voice she is making the change!!!!
Kadelyn wrote;
"I am rising because one in three women will be raped or beaten in their lifetime. I think that it is revolutionary that one billion women will act out and be heard by dancing. I want the violence that is done to women to stop. Whether it be physical or mental abuse. No woman wants to be called names and no woman want to be raped or abused in any way. The One Billion Rising is a chance for women who have been raped or abused in their lifetime to rise up and speak out. To have a voice that isn't going to use violence to stop violence, but to dance and be able to have the chance be a women without dehumanizing gestures others do to women. To rise and dance for a world free of violence done to women. For young girls and women to feel safe instead of having to worry if someone will rape them while they are coming home from school is amazing. Go One Billion Rising!! "


Photo: One of OBR-SLC Team Member's 16 year old niece is of the first to voice "Why she is rising..."
Kadelyn lives in the Salt Lake Area and is a talented and determined young woman, with many dreams and goals that with her strong will, we all know she will achieve them.
She has spoken up and with her voice she is making the change!!!!
Kadelyn wrote;
"I am rising because one in three women will be raped or beaten in their lifetime. I think that it is revolutionary that one billion women will act out and be heard by dancing. I want the violence that is done to women to stop. Whether it be physical or mental abuse. No women wants to be called names and no women want to be raped or abused in any way. The One Billion Rising is a chance for women who have been raped or abused in their lifetime to rise up and speak out. To have a voice that isn't going to use violence to stop violence, but to dance and be able to have the chance be a women without dehumanizing gestures others do to women. To rise and dance for a world free of violence done to women. For young girls and women to feel safe instead of having to worry if someone will rape them while they are coming home from school is amazing. Go One Billion Rising!! "

Wednesday, January 2, 2013

Why I Rise- Part 1


Today is the first installation of "Why I Rise" that One Billion Rising SLC will be bringing to you. 


Everyone has a story.
Everyone has some reason that they care and are even the slightest bit impassioned for the cause.
You are important.
Your story deserves to be heard.




Here is our first story, brought to you by
 "A Lotta Living":
Please submit your own story (and a screen name if you would like to remain anonymous) to OBRSLC@gmail.com


My personal reasons for participating with One Billion Rising

I was a teen mom. When my parents found out I was pregnant at 16 it was determined that I WOULD be getting married and plans were quickly made. This was a guy who had never placed me first in any situation and treated me as if I was less than nothing. I did what was expected and we were married.

The abuse was only verbal and controlling at first. I was constantly told how ugly and terrible I was until I started to believe him. I was not allowed to go anywhere without him checking on me and accusing me of doing other things. There was constant yelling and accusations. In spite of efforts to prevent another pregnancy I was pregnant only 10 months later, I truly believe he sabotaged me and made sure I would get pregnant, what better way to control me?

The abuse became physical. He was careful to never leave obvious marks. He would hold me down, pick me up over his head, anything to let me know he was stronger than me and could do what he wanted.
I have always been a strong woman but for some reason I put up with this treatment for 2 years. When the abuse began to spread to my children, something inside me snapped and I knew there was no way that I could allow it to continue. I got out of the situation and made sure my children were not raised around this type of behavior.

I stand up and dance to bring attention to the problem, to teach women that they do have a choice and to show their abusers that we will not allow this to happen any longer. I do it for my daughters, granddaughters, nieces and friends. I do it for all women around the world who are not yet able to do it for themselves.

-A Lotta Living (Utah)

Please leave a comment with some love and support for our first guest blogger below.